I hope this new site sticks to the issues and policy concerns and does not become a rumor (allegation, accusation) mill that ends up hurting more than helping.

If the bloggers and commenters focus on the decision makers in the Andrew Johnson Building rather than those who carry out those policies at the school and classroom levels, then maybe some good will come from the new site.

will be a great forum. Check it out.

Beyond that, participants are able to create their own groups, posts their own links, and otherwise pursue what topics they will.

Good luck with that!

I expect that some will initially join rather disconnected to the "big picture" issues that may lie at the heart of their complaints (and we expect to hear lots of complaints). Hopefully, though, participation from invited school board members and others better informed of root causes to school systems' various problems will help diffuse any unreasonable complaints and accusations.

I'll keep my hopes up and reserve judgement, but if teachers are going to be named and talked about, I would like to know exactly what would constitute a "personal attack." Although teachers are public employees, I don't think they're really public officials who are elected or appointed to their jobs and are often the subjects of much heated, public debate. The new website should make that clear to its users.

I hope that what they do in the classroom remains between them, their students and their parents, and the teachers' superiors, and that issues are handled through the existing employee/employer processes and not through a DSL grapevine.

Whatever happened with selling the AJ?

From "Join the Discussion on School Matters"

We need to remember that everyone on this site cares about education and that civil discourse is expected. You are responsible for your posts and comments. Please do not post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned.

And this:

Although not required, we invite you to use your real name when you create your School Matters identity to encourage meaningful and productive dialog.

We are hoping that by encouraging people to use their real names and photos that they will be more mindful of their online speech. A valid criticism is fair; however, name calling, abusive speech, or violations of privacy won't be tolerated.

R. Neal, you know as well as anyone that it is a fine line to walk and that sometimes you have posts that cross the line. We have a group of seven moderators who will hopefully be able to stay on top of it, and we also think the community will police itself to some extent. But if you are going to have meaningful discussion that can hopefully lead to a postive change, sometimes we will be talking about painful truths and difficult subjects.

But if you are going to have meaningful discussion that can hopefully lead to a postive change, sometimes we will be talking about painful truths and difficult subjects.

Talking about painfull truths and difficult subjects doesn't bother me, but after last year and the incidents at Powell and Karns, it will be important, once the school year gets going, to make sure the discussions about "painfull truths and difficult subjects" don't deteriorate into personal gripes and grievances aimed at individual teachers, coaches, principals, and other school staff.

I don't question the motivation of the founders, or the members who I know, but... it happens.

Perhaps the first issue that should be considered is what Knox County is looking for in its next Superintendent.

Yes, the school superintendent search is a totally relevant ongoing school matter that would be all the better for daylight and wider discussion. Not trying to take away from all the discussions at Knox Views, but Gary you should join School Matters and post your concerns and ideas there. At School Matters you will be talking with people who are there specifically to talk about school issues.

I wish more people were aware that this speaker at Powell High's Community Forum on school rezoning (who warned officials against allowing "those children" into our school) was loudly booed by all in attendence.

Actually, in reference to Powell, I was talking about the allegations concerning the assistant principal. In reference to Karns, I was talking about the coach/teacher incident with regards to classroom conduct. Sorry. I should have been more specific in my references.

I attended several of the rezoning forums, and Karns was one that did have some unpleasant commentary.

One woman stood up and said that they didn't understand why these "undesirable" kids from Northwest that weren't from their community and weren't kids they knew and they didn't know their parents and just didn't think they were Karns kids, etc. were being zoned into their school.

Cindy Buttry handled it very well I thought. She allowed the woman to finish venting and then very calmly said that her son was one of "those" kids rezoned from that area to Karns and that she hoped he would be welcomed at Karns. That shut the parent up and she sat down; everyone else applauded.